Altared by Grief

Altared by Grief

A poem by Luna Jaffe

———

At the center

I place your image,

the one of you sitting in a

golden field wearing an

orange & cobalt t-shirt.

You are three years old.

I have gathered buds and blossoms,

leaves, nuts, sticks and feathers.

One by one, each color and texture arranged,

a living prayer of love,

a mandala to motherhood,

a sacred space for sorrow.

At the edges, I place eight candles

and hover a lighter over the

wick to bring them to life.

Here, for a slice of time,

I honor the beauty & love

that is you.

The altars I create,

those centerpieces of remembrance,

alter my heart, etch your name

on the inside of my eyelids,

and hold me steady on

this earthly plane.

I cannot contain my love for you

yet here, with the scent of sage,

the dancing flame,

the luxury of saturated color,

we create something fresh, together.

Impermanent & imperfect,

as unique as a snowflake or fingerprint

Your love flows through my veins

and out my hands

touching the world anew.